CDC: Hospitals continue to lead other health care settings in worker flu vaccinations

An estimated 91% of hospital workers report receiving a flu vaccine for the 2015-16 flu season, compared with 80% of ambulatory care workers and 69% of long-term care workers, according to a survey released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coverage for health care workers in all settings was 79%, up from 77% in 2014-15. Coverage was 97% among workers in hospitals requiring vaccination, compared with 82% in those that did not require but offered free on-site vaccination to employees for more than one day. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends annual flu vaccination for all health care personnel to reduce flu-related illness and mortality in health care settings. To protect the lives and welfare of patients and hospital employees, the AHA supports mandatory patient safety policies that require either flu vaccination or wearing a mask in the presence of patients across health care settings during flu season.